Air ambulance from Dominican Republic

Reviewed by the AirAmbulance.org editorial team · Updated 13 November 2026 · Editorial policy

How patients are flown home or to specialist care from the Dominican Republic: the options, typical distances and flight times, and what to do first.

Medical flights from Dominican Republic

• Punta Cana and Santo Domingo see many US, Canadian and European visitors, and medical flights to Florida and New York are common.
• Short flights to Miami mean many patients can be moved the same or next day once the treating doctor says they are fit to fly.

In an emergency

• Local emergency number in Dominican Republic: 911. Call it first for an ambulance; medical flights are arranged once the patient is in hospital.

Distances and flight times

• Punta Cana → Miami (USA): about 1,470 km, 2 h 20 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Punta Cana → New York (USA): about 2,510 km, 3 h 40 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Punta Cana → Houston (USA): about 3,000 km, 4 h 15 min flying. Light and midsize medical jets often make one fuel stop; long-range jets may fly non-stop.
• Punta Cana → Toronto (Canada): about 2,980 km, 4 h 15 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Punta Cana → London (UK): about 6,880 km, 9 h 05 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Santo Domingo → Miami (USA): about 1,370 km, 2 h 10 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Santo Domingo → New York (USA): about 2,500 km, 3 h 40 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Santo Domingo → Houston (USA): about 2,890 km, 4 h 05 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Santo Domingo → Toronto (Canada): about 2,960 km, 4 h 10 min flying. Usually non-stop for most medical jets.
• Santo Domingo → London (UK): about 6,980 km, 9 h 15 min flying. Usually one fuel stop, or non-stop in a long-range jet.
• Times are direct-flight estimates for a medical jet; ground ambulance transfers and permits add time.

How a medical flight is arranged

• The treating doctor confirms the patient is stable enough to fly and writes a medical report.
• If there is travel insurance, call the insurer's 24-hour assistance number first: they usually decide between a commercial flight with an escort and an air ambulance, and arrange it.
• Without insurance, the family requests quotes; a bed at the receiving hospital must be confirmed before take-off.
• Bring passports for the patient and anyone travelling with them; some flights need landing permits, which take time to arrange.

Options from cheapest to most intensive

• Commercial flight with wheelchair assistance, if the patient can sit and needs no care on board.
• A nurse or doctor escort on a commercial flight, seated or on a stretcher.
• An air ambulance with an intensive-care team, for unstable or critically ill patients.
• See air ambulance costs or price the route with our cost calculator.

Route pages

• Air ambulance Punta Cana to Miami
• Air ambulance Santo Domingo to Miami
• Air ambulance Punta Cana to New York
• Air ambulance Santo Domingo to New York

General information only, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Rules, coverage and prices change; confirm with your provider and insurer.